Advertise on podcast: West Virginia Outdoors Audio Playlist

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with John Terry who set a new state length record for Tiger Trout, Mike Peters from the DNR talks about the upcoming Youth Spring Gobbler season, and Newman Brown from Run and Gun Game Calls showcases some of their turkey calls.

Chris Lawrence marks the show's 32nd anniversary and welcomes Brent Null of Null Custom Calls from Red House in Putnam County for a full hour focused on spring gobbler season. Null shares how a late-in-life passion for turkey hunting — rekindled by taking his grandson out — led him to start crafting his own calls just over a year ago, beginning with a wingbone call made from a bird he harvested. Lawrence and Null work through an array of pot calls in the studio, covering materials including frosted glass, ceramic, slate, copper, titanium, and stoned aluminum, discussing how each affects pitch, rasp, and performance in wet conditions. Null also explains his unconventional use of AI to analyze his calls against real turkey vocalizations, and demonstrates a bamboo tube call and bamboo trumpet he built himself. The two close with turkey hunting strategy, scouting tips for Putnam County, and Null's goal of getting his 13-year-old grandson his first gobbler behind one of his handmade calls.

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with Scott Lattea, the state's newest Master Angler, and Kellan Snyder from Breezewood Adventures, which provides canoe and kayak services, guided fishing trips and private camping.

Chris Lawrence kicks off the show by celebrating 33 years of Hunting and Fishing Talk on the Radio, then welcomes Jason Stewart to discuss the upcoming Appalachian Bow Hunter Challenge — a two-day fitness-meets-archery event set for May 1st and 2nd at Winterplace Ski Resort. The event features a 5K mountain challenge with weighted packs, a conventional 3D shoot, and a head-to-head speed course that puts competitors through conditions designed to simulate real-world bow hunting scenarios. Chris and Jason also discuss how events like Train to Hunt and Beast Mode Archery have inspired this first-of-its-kind West Virginia competition, which is already drawing participants from six states. Later, Dave Wellman, Assistant Chief for Fisheries at the West Virginia DNR, joins the program to preview the ninth annual West Virginia Gold Rush — a two-week trout stocking event designed to get kids and new anglers on the water. Dave also covers the hatchery system behind the program, including upgrades at the Bowden facility, ongoing walleye and muskie broodstock collections, and the DNR's approach to managing West Virginia's growing muskie fishery. Chris wraps up with a conversation about lock-and-dam tailwater fishing and what anglers can expect throughout spring and into early summer.

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with John Hammond, coach of the Mountaineer Rifle Team, Randy Kelley of the WV DNR on elk herd health, and Chris Ashley with a big buck story.

Chris Lawrence covers a full slate of hunting and fishing news on this week's West Virginia Outdoors. Rob Pate of the Southern West Virginia Rocky Mountain Elk Foundation previews the chapter's 25th anniversary banquet at Tamarack and shares an update on the growing Tomlin WMA elk herd, now at 140 animals with roughly 25 calves expected this spring. Ron Bierstein of Oak Orchard Tackle and Lodge in Orleans County, New York, reports on peak steelhead season along Lake Ontario tributaries and the approaching open-water charter season. DNR District 4 fish biologist Corey Hartman explains proposed changes to bass catch-and-release rules on the New River and Greenbrier River aimed at controlling the spread of invasive Alabama bass. Lawrence also reviews the DNR's proposed big game season adjustments, bear hunting rule changes, and new legislation affecting small impoundments and senior license holders.

On this special episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris broadcasts live from the 24th Annual Fishing, Hunting, & Outdoors Sports Show. He talks with presenters and organizers on location at Mylan Park in Morgantown.

Chris Lawrence covers late-winter fishing on the New and Greenbrier rivers with Sammy Pugh, including ice fishing tactics, smallmouth patterns, and early walleye movement. Coldwater fisheries biologist Dave Thorne details ongoing native brook trout restoration, limestone treatments for acid-impacted streams, and habitat improvements across West Virginia’s mountain waters. The show concludes with Bluestone Lake project manager Josh Miller outlining major upgrades to the Bluestone Dam, including spillway construction, scour protection, and a timeline toward completion in 2030.

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris broadcasts from the historic Williamson Fieldhouse for the 2026 Southern West Virginia Fishing Expo. Chris talks with organizers and presenters about the beloved pastime of fishing.

Chris Lawrence revisits two memorable buck harvest stories from Mason and Wyoming counties and checks in with DNR Elk Project Leader Randy Kelly for an update on West Virginia’s growing elk herd. A look back at standout moments from the 2025 season and ongoing wildlife management efforts across the Mountain State.

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with BT Roberts about a big buck story, and Delegate John Hott of Grant County discusses a piece of hunting legislation he proposed.

Chris Lawrence opens this episode of West Virginia Outdoors with a wintery scene from the Greer Lime Company Studio before turning the focus to Groundhog Day at the West Virginia Wildlife Center in French Creek. New center manager Mark Biller previews the 49th annual celebration, explains the biology of groundhogs as true hibernators, and walks through how French Creek Freddy makes his prediction. The show then shifts south to an in-depth update on West Virginia’s elk herd, as DNR elk project leader Randy Kelly explains winter darting operations, herd health, calf numbers, tracking collars, and why strong mast conditions have scattered elk across the landscape. In the final segment, Lawrence crosses the Ohio River to discuss a severe EHD outbreak with Ohio Wildlife Officer Chris Gilke, examining how the disease devastated deer numbers in Meigs County and highlighting a community-driven venison donation effort to support local food pantries. A wide-ranging, informative episode that blends wildlife science, conservation, tradition, and community impact.

On this special episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris Lawrence broadcasts from the Hunting and Fishing Show. He talks with vendors and organizers about West Virginia's two favorite pastimes, hunting and fishing!

On this episode of West Virginia Outdoors, Chris talks with Jim Hedrick from the West Virginia DNR about this year's Spring trout stocking, and Jimmy George from Kanawha County with a big buck story.

Chris Lawrence dedicates the full hour of West Virginia Outdoors to a deep dive into rabbit hunting with beagles, joined by longtime dog handler Matt Wolf. The conversation covers everything from starting pups and avoiding deer chases to breeding bloodlines, AKC and PKC field trials, GPS tracking collars, and the subtle skills that separate a good dog from a great one. Along the way, Matt shares unforgettable stories from the field, lessons learned over decades of running dogs, and why the chase — not the harvest — is often the point. A detailed, boots-on-the-ground look at a tradition that remains deeply rooted in West Virginia’s hunting culture.